cyanocobalamin

cyanocobalamin

[si″ah-no-ko-bal´ah-min]

vitamin B12, a substance having hematopoietic activity found in liver, fish meal, eggs, and other natural sources, or produced from cultures of Streptomyces griseus; it combines with intrinsic factor for absorption and is needed for erythrocyte maturation. Absence of intrinsic factor leads to malabsorption of cyanocobalamin and results in pernicious anemia. Called also extrinsic factor. See also vitamin.

cy·a·no·co·bal·a·min

(sī'an-ō-kō-bal'ă-min),

A complex of cyanide and cobalamin, as in vitamin B12, in which a cyanide group has filled the sixth coordinate position of the cobalt atom.

cyanocobalamin

/cy·a·no·co·bal·a·min/ (-ko-bal´ah-min) a cobalamin in which the substituent is a cyanide ion; it is the form of vitamin B12 first isolated and, although an artifact, is used to denote the vitamin; preparations are used to treat vitamin-associated deficiencies, particularly pernicious anemia and other megaloblastic anemias.

cyanocobalamin

cyanocobalamin

[sī′ənōkōbal′əmin]

Etymology: Gk, kyanos + Ger, kobald, mine goblin

a red crystalline, water-soluble substance that is the common pharmaceutic form of vitamin B12. It is involved in the metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates; normal blood formation; and neural function. It is the first substance containing cobalt found to be vital to life. It cannot be produced synthetically but can be obtained from cultures of Streptomyces griseus. Rich dietary sources are liver, kidney, meats, fish, and dairy products. Deficiency can be caused by the absence of intrinsic factor (produced in the stomach), which is necessary for the absorption of cyanocobalamin from the GI tract. Deficiency can also occur in persons whose diet is strictly vegetarian, thereby excluding meat and dairy sources of the nutrient. Symptoms of deficiency include nervousness, neuritis, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, poor muscular coordination, and menstrual disturbances. Cyanocobalamin (via injection) is used in the prophylaxis and treatment of pernicious anemia, tropical and nontropical sprue, and other macrocytic and megaloblastic anemias. It is relatively nontoxic, even when administered in amounts greater than those recommended for therapeutic purposes. Also called antipernicious anemia factor, vitamin B12, extrinsic factor. See also intrinsic factor, pernicious anemia.

vitamin B12

A water-soluble vitamin of animal origin required for DNA synthesis. It is a glycoprotein produced and secreted by the gastric parietal cells, and is absorbed from the GI tract bound to intrinsic factor; the body stores up to one years’ worth of vitamin B12 in the liver, kidneys and heart. Rapid cell turnover (e.g., growth spurts in children, malignancy) require increased amounts of vitamin B12. Vegans, who ingest no protein of animal origin, are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.

cyanocobalamin

cy·a·no·co·bal·a·min

(sī'ă-nō-kō-bal'ă-min)

A complex of cyanide and cobalamin, as in vitamin B12.

cyanocobalamin

Vitamin B12. This vitamin is necessary for the normal metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, for blood cell formation and for nerve function. It is used in the treatment of PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA and SPRUE. Brand names are Cytacon and Cytamen.

cyanocobalamin

Patient discussion about cyanocobalamin

Q. Can a food rich in vitamin B12 will help for his depression or vitamin B12 pills are always required? Hi all…..having one question related to my friends depression and its relation to vitamin B12, as a medicine given to him by his Doctor. Can a food rich in vitamin B12 will help for his depression or vitamin B12 pills are always required?

A. Yes low level of vitamin B12 is associated with depression. You can complete its deficiency by having good diet which will cover the B12 requirements. What happens that depressed people tend to eat less of healthy food and which reduces the B12. So, it again reduces the capacity to fight against the depression.

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